ASRS Vehicle Fleet and Charging Control for Lower Energy Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) face inefficiencies in energy management, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced productivity due to strategies that do not account for the number of tasks to be performed within a given time, resulting in fluctuating energy demands.

Innovation Solution

A method for energy management in ASRS that determines the optimal fleet of autonomous vehicles, operating parameters, and charging strategy to minimize energy consumption while ensuring tasks are completed within a predetermined duration by evaluating energy loss across various combinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If autonomous vehicles operate at high speed to complete tasks quickly, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask completion rateVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operating speed of autonomous vehicles based on real-time conditions, task priorities, and energy availability. Instead of maintaining constant high speed, vehicles adapt their speed profiles to optimize the balance between productivity and energy consumption, using higher speeds for urgent tasks and lower speeds for routine operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as speed, acceleration, and routing based on energy consumption patterns and task requirements. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can reduce energy consumption during low-priority periods while maintaining productivity during high-priority periods, resolving the contradiction between speed and energy use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If autonomous vehicles operate at reduced energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but task completion time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidtask completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic monitoring and adjustment of energy consumption patterns, alternating between energy-efficient modes and high-performance modes based on task queues and energy levels. This periodic switching allows the system to accumulate energy efficiency benefits while ensuring that time-sensitive tasks are completed with adequate speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors task completion rates, energy consumption, and queue status, using this feedback to adjust operating parameters in real-time. When task queues are short or tasks are non-urgent, the system increases energy efficiency; when queues build up or urgent tasks appear, the system increases speed to prevent excessive delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If charging strategy is optimized for minimal energy consumption, then energy cost is reduced, but system productivity fluctuates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy costVSAvoidsystem throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary planning of charging schedules based on predicted task loads and energy consumption patterns. By anticipating future energy needs and charging during periods of low system demand, the system minimizes energy costs while preventing productivity disruptions that would occur if vehicles charged during peak operational periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If fleet size is increased to maintain productivity during energy-saving modes, then task completion is ensured, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask completion reliabilityVSAvoidfleet size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system designs autonomous vehicles with multi-functionality, enabling a smaller fleet to perform a wider range of tasks efficiently. Vehicles can adapt their operational modes and task priorities based on system needs, allowing the same fleet size to maintain productivity across varying energy consumption scenarios without requiring additional vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260079499A1Method and system for energy management in an automated storage and retrieval system

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 EXOTEC PRODUCT FRANCE

AI summary

A method is provided for energy management in an automated storage and retrieval system, including a plurality of autonomous vehicles, the method includes: determining tasks (Lx) to be performed within a predetermined duration (tf); determining a fleet of autonomous vehicles (N) to be mobilized to perform the tasks within the predetermined duration (tf), operating parameters of the autonomous vehicles (Pj) in order to perform the tasks within the predetermined duration (tf), and/or an energy charging strategy of the autonomous vehicles (Cuj) in order to perform the tasks (Lx) within the predetermined duration (tf), such that the amount of energy consumed to perform the tasks (Lx) within the predetermined duration (tf) is minimal.